Tree and stump removal

Abstract

Provided herein is a device which is useful in removing trees, stumps, and the like from various landscapes. A device according to the invention may be attached to existing earthmoving equipment, preferably in the place of a conventional bucket used on a track driven or tractor mounted backhoe attachment or other functional portion of a hydraulic excavator that is adapted to receive a bucket. A device according to the present invention may be caused to be operated beneath the surface of the ground, as in cases where it is desired to remove root masses and whole trees, such as mesquite and other species. In an alternate embodiment, a device according to the invention is useful above-ground for grasping small cedar trees and the like by means of grasping sabres affixed to the device. Methods for the use of such devices are provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 ) A device useful for removing trees, stumps or the like from the earth which comprises: 
 a) a substantially rectangular, planar base portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first long side which is the leading side, and a second long side which is the trailing side, and comprising a v-shaped void disposed along the length of said leading side;    b) a sub-base member attached to said lower surface of said base portion, said sub-base member including a v-shaped void, and a leading edge portion which includes a blunt portion which renders said leading edge portion sufficiently dull to preclude the cutting of roots by said leading edge portion;    c) a first vertical support portion projecting upwardly from said upper surface of said base portion;    d) a second vertical support portion projecting upwardly from said upper surface of said base portion;    e) a first horizontal support member having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of said first horizontal support member is attached to said first vertical support portion and wherein the second end portion of the first horizontal support member is attached to said second vertical support portion;    f) a second horizontal support member having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of said second horizontal support member is attached to said first vertical support portion and wherein the second end portion of the second horizontal support member is attached to said second vertical support portion; and    g) mounting means attached to said first and second horizontal support members wherein said mounting means is adapted to be coupled to earthmoving equipment.    
     
     
         2 ) A device as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 h) a first reinforcing member in the shape of a polygon having a plurality of faces that is attached to said first vertical support portion along one of its faces and that is attached to said base portion along one of its faces.  
 
     
     
         3 ) A device as in  claim 2  further comprising: 
 i) a second reinforcing member in the shape of a polygon having a plurality of faces that is attached to said first vertical support portion along one of its faces and that is attached to said base portion along one of its faces.  
 
     
     
         4 ) A device as in  claim 2  wherein said polygon is selected from the group consisting of: triangle, square, rectangle, circle, pentagon, and hexagon.  
     
     
         5 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein the angle which said first vertical support portion makes with respect to said base portion is any angle in the range of between about 45 degrees and 135 degrees.  
     
     
         6 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein the angle which said first vertical support portion makes with respect to said base portion is any angle in the range of between about 70 degrees and 110 degrees.  
     
     
         7 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein the angle which said first vertical support portion makes with respect to said base portion is any angle in the range of between about 80 degrees and 100 degrees.  
     
     
         8 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of substantially planar plates arranged parallel to one another and disposed about said first and said second horizontal support members between said first and said second vertical support portions.  
     
     
         9 ) A device as in  claim 5  wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of substantially planar metal plates arranged parallel to one another and disposed about said first and said second horizontal support members.  
     
     
         10 ) A device as in  claim 8  wherein said sub-base member includes a two leading edge portions which intersect to form the shape of a V, and wherein said leading edge portions each include a blunt face portion.  
     
     
         11 ) A device as in  claim 10  wherein the leading edge portions of the sub-base member intersect to form an angle having any value in the range of 120 degrees to 60 degrees.  
     
     
         12 ) A device as in  claim 10  wherein the leading edge portions of the sub-base member intersect to form an angle having any value in the range of 100 degrees to  80  degrees.  
     
     
         13 ) A device as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 h) a sabre tooth means affixed to an end portion of the leading side of the base portion of the device adjacent to said the v-shaped void.  
 
     
     
         14 ) A device as in  claim 2  further comprising: 
 i) a sabre tooth means affixed to an end portion of the leading side of the base portion of the device adjacent to said the v-shaped void.  
 
     
     
         15 ) A process for removing a tree, root, or stump comprising the steps of 
 a) providing a device according to  claim 1  attached to a hydraulic excavator;    b) conferring motion on said device so as to cause it to move beneath the surface of the earth so that said v-shaped void contacts the roots of a tree or stump;    c) continuing said motion until said roots are loosened substantially; and    d) causing said device to emerge from the surface of the earth.    
     
     
         16 ) A process for removing a tree, root, or stump comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device according to  claim 2  attached to a hydraulic excavator;    b) conferring motion on said device so as to cause it to move beneath the surface of the earth so that said v-shaped void contacts the roots of a tree or stump;    c) continuing said motion until said roots are loosened substantially; and    d) causing said device to emerge from the surface of the earth.    
     
     
         17 ) A process for removing a tree, root, or stump comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device according to  claim 13  attached to a hydraulic excavator;    b) conferring motion on said device so as to cause it to move beneath the surface of the earth so that said v-shaped void contacts the roots of a tree or stump;    c) continuing said motion until said roots are loosened substantially; and    d) causing said device to emerge from the surface of the earth.    
     
     
         18 ) A process for removing a tree, root, or stump comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device according to  claim 14  attached to a hydraulic excavator;    b) conferring motion on said device so as to cause it to move beneath the surface of the earth so that said v-shaped void contacts the roots of a tree or stump;    c) continuing said motion until said roots are loosened substantially; and    d) causing said device to emerge from the surface of the earth.